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England 1966 World Cup winner Ray Wilson dies aged 83

By Lyall Thomas

The former left-back was a key member of the 1966-winning team and won 63 caps in total for his country.

Wilson, who had battled Alzheimer's disease, made 283 appearances for Huddersfield Town between 1952 and 1964, before a five-year spell with Everton, with whom he won the FA Cup.

Having learned of his passing, Huddersfield said: "Ray is arguably the most successful and best-known player ever to pull on a Huddersfield Town shirt.

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Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton pay tribute to Ray Wilson, member of England's 1966 World Cup winning team

Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton pay tribute to Ray Wilson, member of England's 1966 World Cup winning team

"Until very recently, he was a regular supporter of the Terriers at home match days alongside his eldest son Russell despite battling Alzheimer's disease, which he was diagnosed with in 2004.

"The thoughts of everyone at Huddersfield Town are with Ray's wife Pat, his sons Russ and Neil and the rest of his family and friends at this difficult time."

Joe Royle, who played with him at Everton, said: "You had a speedy ex-winger who certainly was not going to be beaten for pace. He played in the last England team that had four, maybe five, world-class players… and he was certainly one of those.

"He was the best of his kind at the time. And he was a top guy, always there with a smile or a helpful word. I played a few reserve games with Ray and it was like listening to a maestro. He knew his stuff.

"Ray Wilson led the onset of a new breed of full-backs. Prior to Ray, they had all been sentinels, big, tall lads. Maybe third centre-backs, rather than full-backs."

Wilson, who was born in Shirebrook in Derbyshire, became an undertaker after his retirement from playing and spent a brief period managing Bradford City in 1971.